Lehigh County, PA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Plan required before earth-moving
- Section 491.2
- Manual followed
- PADEP Soil Erosion Control Manual
- Permit filed with
- Lehigh County Conservation District
- Applies only in
- municipalities without own SALDO
- Maximum fine
- $500 per day per violation
Summary
Lehigh County's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance bars earth-moving or soil disturbance on covered projects until an erosion and sedimentation control plan is developed, kept on site through final stabilization, and built to PADEP's control manual. An earth-moving permit application goes to the Lehigh County Conservation District, and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) can require plan review even when no permit is needed.
491.1 All earth-moving activities shall be conducted in such a way as to prevent accelerated erosion and the resulting sedimentation. 491.2 No earth-moving or soil disturbance may take place until an erosion and sedimentation control plan has been developed in accordance with Chapter 102, Erosion Control, P.L. 1987. Such a plan is to be maintained on the construction site until all disturbed areas are finally stabilized. 491.3 The erosion and sedimentation control plan shall be developed in the form outlined in the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual, issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. ... 491.5 When it has been determined that an earth-moving permit is required, the application for such a permit must be filed with the County Conservation District.
Full Breakdown
L. 1987. That plan has to stay on the construction site until every disturbed area is finally stabilized, and it must follow the format in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual. 10. Where an earth-moving permit is required, the application goes to the Lehigh County Conservation District, and separately the LVPC may require the plan be sent to the Conservation District for review and recommendations whether or not a permit is required. All earth-moving must also meet current federal NPDES regulations.
1): most Lehigh Valley municipalities, including Allentown, have their own SALDOs and enforce erosion control through their own codes and building or zoning offices instead. Property owners should confirm with their township or borough whether the county ordinance or a local one governs their site before relying on this section.
Violations & Fines
Section 621 sets a fine of up to $500 per day per violation, plus court costs and County legal expenses, payable to Lehigh County. After written notice from the LVPC or the Lehigh County Solicitor, a violator has five days to begin correcting the problem and thirty days to finish; each day a violation continues past those deadlines counts as a separate offense subject to the same daily fine. The County Solicitor may pursue collection by suit or summary proceeding before a magistrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the county erosion control rule apply to my project?
Who reviews the erosion and sedimentation control plan?
What happens if I start earth-moving without a plan?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lehigh County
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